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Atlantic striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are an estuarine species that can be found from Florida to Canada, although the stocks that the Commission manages range from Maine to North Carolina. A long-lived species (at least up to 30 years of age), striped bass typically spend the majority of their adult life in coastal estuaries or the ocean, migrating north and south seasonally and ascending to rivers to spawn in the spring.

Mature females (age six and older) produce large quantities of eggs. In fact, striped bass egg production increases 200,000 eggs per 1kg increase in weight of female. Larger fish also have larger eggs, giving the larva a head start on growth and development. This process increases throughout the life of the breeding aged females. The larger and older the fish, the more fertile eggs and each egg is far larger than one produced from a smaller female.
Striped bass stocks are measured by biological reference points in relation to the SSB (Spawning Stock Biomass/ Sexually Mature Females). The population has been in steady decline since the peak SSB between 2002 and 2004. Currently, striped bass SSB is sitting precariously close to the threshold. If the SSB population falls below the threshold, management action would be mandatory.Learn more about striped bass on Fissues

Photo by Angelo Peluso The Council met this week, here’s what you should know By Capt. John McMurray There were really only three agenda items during this meeting that are of importance to anglers. Although before getting to those, we want to point out that during the Law Enforcement Committee report on Tuesday, a NOAA

There’s been some great science coming out about fish lately. The findings are eye opening because scientific studies have shown us that bigger, older, and fatter female fish are better reproducers. A recent study in the journal Science supports this theory, finding that larger females produce disproportionately more eggs. Scientists have even come up with

ASMFC met April 30th to May 3rd, here’s what went down By Capt. John McMurray The Spring 2018 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) meeting took place last week, and of course, we were there. While there were a number of topics discussed, and actions taken, in the interest of simplification and providing readers with

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY-1) sponsored the amendment on an approved House appropriations bill that prohibits the Coast Guard and NOAA Fisheries from enforcing a moratorium on striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surrounding Block Island, Rhode Island. This House approved amendment is bad for the fish and fisheries management. Block Island Sound fishermen

Striped bass in Maryland, menhaden in VA, and regional management for black seabass By Capt. John McMurray While there were many issues discussed, and action taken on several different species at last week’s ASMFC meeting, the below are what we felt were issues important to anglers. For the full meeting report, see the Commission’s 2018

The Council met Monday through Thursday of last week. On day one, there was a first “framework” meeting for a possible change to the Council’s “Risk Policy”. While this is undoubtedly complicated and wonky, the Council’s “Risk Policy” can best be described as policy articulating how much risk they want to take given the best

2017 was a good year, but in the end, it can all go away pretty easily Let me be clear about something… I’m not done by any means. The stripers are still going, and for sure I’ll get a few, hopefully more than a few, more cracks at them. And, I’m pretty sure, or at

Maybe the recreational fishing experience is more important than we think it is Let me preface all this by saying that I’m not a great dad. At least I’m not as good of a dad as I always thought/hoped I would be. I have two 8-year-olds. Yes, twins. A boy and a girl. They are awesome.

As another attempt to increase harvest at the expense of angler opportunity unfolds, it’s imperative we stay engaged I know… this is getting tiresome. Every six months or so, it seems like there is another attempt to “liberalize” regulations – which is a “nice” way of saying “kill more fish” – at the expense of

Some may be cheering the Secretary of Commerce’s decision to overrule ASMFC on summer flounder, but in the end, Jersey may have really screwed us If you are a regular reader, you likely know the controversy surrounding summer flounder (aka fluke). And I’m guessing your probably up to speed on the striped bass situation